With Patrice Evra declaring that it was a huge loss when Paul Pogba left Manchester United, and former Reds youngster Ravel Morrison starting to perform at West Ham, MEN Sport takes a look at a team of eleven let go or sold by Sir Alex Ferguson that have gone on to great things.

TIM HOWARD

The keeper was unfortunate that Edwin van der Sar came during his time at the club but was one of United's best between the sticks during a bad period for Reds goalies in the post-Schmeichel era. Since leaving, Howard has re-established himeslf as one of the Premier League's best Number 1's with Everton, where he continues to hold down a first team place.

GABRIEL HEINZE

Argentine left-back Heinze saw first-team opportunities limited when Patrice Evra came to the club. After demanding a move to Liverpool, Heinze instead signed for Real Madrid on a five-year deal. There, he made 20 league appearances to help the team win the Primera Liga, and has also played at the top level for Marseille and Roma since leaving.

JAAP STAM

Sir Alex Ferguson once said selling Jaap Stam was one of his biggest mistakes, but that only came with hindsight. Stam was shoved out of the door at old Trafford after an explosive autobiography where he claimed that the Manchester United manager told his players to dive, among other things. Stam moved to Lazio and - after serving a lengthy suspension for steroid use - recovered to reach the Champions League final with Milan, where they lost to Liverpool in an infamous game.

GERARD PIQUE

One that hurts United fans hard. Pique signed for the Reds in 2004 and spent four years in the youth team before moving back to his hometown Barcelona after the club paid his five million euros release clause. Since returning to Spain, Pique has become a central figure in the award-winning Barcelona and Spain sides, and played in both Champions League finals where the Catalan club defeated Manchester United.

CRISTIANO RONALDO

Ronaldo was an exceptional talent at United. From trickery to pace to the remarkable free-kicks, the Portuguese winger took the Premier League by storm during his time at Old Trafford. But, good as he was and as good as the £80m United got for him, he has gone to even greater levels of brilliance in Madrid. Averaging well over a goal every game in over 150 appearances for Real, Ronaldo has easily elevated himself to one of the top two players in the world.

With the Reds crying out for a central midfielder that can hold the ball and create, Pogba would have been a penniless option that could have filled the gap. The Frenchman decided to leave Old Trafford after finding out he was behind Rafael and Park Ji-Sung in the pecking order and has instead gone onto a title-winning side in Italy with Juventus. Still only 20, Pogba has a big future ahead of him - but it doesn't look like it will be in Manchester.

DAVID BECKHAM

The England midfielder arguably never reached the same peaks of performance after leaving Old Trafford, but Beckham's ability for reinvention was stunning. After being cast out of Real Madrid's squad, Becks forced his way back into Fabio Capello's thoughts and won a thrilling Primera Liga title in his last season with Real. He also managed to work his way back into the England side while playing for LA Galaxy, and has turned out for AC Milan and Paris St Germain, all of where he has been loved by players and fans alike.

RAVEL MORRISON

There is a lot of football that needs to be played before it can be deemed a mistake for United to have let Ravel Morrison go, but there are signs that the youngster is finding some stability to add to his undoubted talent. United were never worried about his ability but his temperament and attitude led to them letting him go. Now scoring goals for West Ham, Morrison could have a big season ahead of him at Upton Park.

DIEGO FORLAN

Uruguayan striker Forlan promised much when he came to Manchester United but was absolutely dreadful. He may have made the Scousers cry with two goals in a game but they were some of the only ones he managed to score. United is an unbelievable blip in an otherwise wonderful career for Forlan though; after leaving Old Trafford, he was prolific in La Liga with first Villarreal and then Atletico before earning a move to Inter Milan.

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY

Another to have enjoyed an excellent career at Old Trafford and moved on arguably past his peak, but van Nistelrooy still enjoyed a great career afterwards. The Dutchman averaged two goals every three games for Real Madrid in his five years there, and he also scored goals in the Bundesliga for Hamburg before returning to Manuel Pellegrini's Malaga to finish his career.

CARLOS TEVEZ

The Argentine forward certainly had some memorable welcomes in Manchester. Tevez won the Champions League in his first season at United and proved a talismanic figure in his two seasons there. But he turned down the chance to stay at Old Trafford and instead moved down the road to noisy neighbours Manchester City. His record of better than a goal every two games helped City to the Premier League trophy in 2012, and he has also taken to life well in Juventus.